Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-22
4 NOBLE VICTORY.

The waves break en- the shore OF the Norti
sea \ sharp wind from the north sweep
| over its surface, driving the waves high be
| fore it. On their crests rises and sinks tn
white foam How the water surges forward
as if it would r,ish far into the land Blu
| again and again it retreats from the whit
sand, only 10 return in haste the next morn
ing.
| On the shore lies stretched out theiyillage o
| HusonL Every little house stands By itself
| often separated from its neighbor by wild
| space of perhaps fifty feet, which is generally
| made into a garden, in which few feebl,
plants draw scanty nourishment from tht
| ground With no less difficulty do the inhab
| itants Of Husom manage to get their living
| They are all fishermen. and the sea is theil
real home, Oh which they go out for miles t.
cast their nets. When the sun shines on
| smooth surface it is an exhilarating occupa
| ton, but when a sudden storm springs III
while the boats are far from land and fog
settles down upon the water like a broad
heavy mantle, then one understands how hare
| are the conditions and the perpetual danger
attending the labor by which these men carr
their bread
hS SStt niiu idcSt VA tfiS Dodt-
have pulled in to land Two men are still
working to save their property in the same
way. They are both young, large, vigorous
men, with sun burned faces and toll hardened
hands.
At last their boats too rest on the shore
firmly secured. Lars" said one OF the men
strengthening up and buttoning his short
jacket, this will be fierce blow tonight y
The other nodded 1T is lucky that none
of us are out"
Meanwhile they have started hcmeward,
and stride along together in silence. The
only street of the village is quiet 1t is dark,
here and there faint light cleaning from O
little window.
They are passing a small house, and, almost
as II iy n secret agreement, they approach
and glance through the lighted window to
the inside. An old man with white hair and
beard sits il large arm chair; his head has
fallen forward Oh his breast-a picture Of the
life fast sinking to rest. At the table. on the
opposite side, sits, in bright contrast, a young
girl, sewing-a fresh, lovely face, with round
rosy cheeks and luxuriant, fair hair Kate
Mason is the prettiest girl in the village, and
the most industrious, Oh whom many young
fellow looks with earnest glance Early and
late she is busy, supporting herself and her
aged father by her own hands.
The lOiterers at the window have turned
and gone On their way. At last Lars said:
Good night, Christoph," and crossed the
street to bis home. He had heard the reply
to his greeting, and now waited and listened,
standing by the fence that inclosed his little
tract of ground. Christoph had not gone on,
h1c haH turned ha fl xrl, folt
misgiving. lie, too, fastened back. The
wind drives full in his face, but he does not
heed. Now he hears Christopn's steps before
him, but cannot see, for it is very dark
There stands the little house where Katie
Mason lives. Christoph stands by the win
dow. Lars sees him plainly in the light of
the lamp that falls full upon him He hears
q tap On the window, and now Christoph has
his hand on the door, and it opens before
him
Thou, Christophi What brings thee so
later asked Katie, holding OH to the door,
which the storm was shaking
Il was passing and saw thee sit ting, SO
stopped to bid thee sleep WE'LL"
''Thou deerl" she said, putting out her
hand.
The wind seized tie door thus set free. and
flung it wide open against the wall But
Christoph, using ell his strength, drew
the girl into the hall and closed the door.
Lars grew not under his coarse jacket; hot in
spite of the clustering wind. He stepped close
to the door and heard speaking within, but
could not distinguish anything. He waited,
his heart filed with the pangs of jealousy
How long he stood be knew not; it seemed an
eternity TO him. AZ last the door opened and
Christoph stepped out. Sleep well, dear girl"
he whispered ,."Gooiby, dear Christoph.n
The key was turned in the lock Christoph
went home, the Joy of love requted in his
heart The other, too, turned honeward,
but long time passed before lie reached the
little house.
They had grown up together-Lars Chris
toph and Katie. The three had played to-
gether continually as children, ami Katie
would be- carried by no others or drawn on
the sled by none but Lars or Christoph.
When they Srew larger they went to school
together aud were confirmed together in the
little church of the neighboring village. No
strife had ever come between them, never
had the girl shown whether she had pre-
terred one OF The lads to the other As these
developed into strong men, katie bioomed
into still greater beauty, as was apparent
70 other young men OF the village, and
Rob Steffei ventured to intimate as much, III
q rough fashion. to the girl The following
day his place in the boat was empty: he was
sick his father said-the truth was, Rob
would not show his discolorei face. From
that time the young fellows held themselves
aloof from Katie Mason. But between Lars
and Christoph the old intimacy began grad
uaily to diminish. They went with Katie TO
her first dance Who should be her first
partner! They disputed long ovc' it out Of
tie girls hearing, and at last. with heated
faces, appealed to her to choose between
them. Katie looked ct them, and for the
first time felt misgiviny that Il she chose |
one the other would be deeply hurt. SO she |
said 1T makes no difference 70 ne which |
lance with first, but il j. IS OF So much ac- |
count 10 you draw cuts" They did so, and |
Christoph was the lucky one. While they |
were settling the matter Katie looaed on with |
apparent Indifference. but her beaTt beat fast |
under her bodice, and when ii decided |
she almost unconsciously smiled with evident |
pleasure. Lars saw it, and from that day !
jealousy began to take root deeper and deeper |
n his heart, and there was no isck CT occa-
'ion 70 develop it. Margrit He-nensen, |
Aatie'S bos- friend, went TO the altar - plight |
Ter faith Katie was chosen to carry the /
wreath. accompanied hv ChrisccPh. When /
Lars heard OF it he opposed i; reheineD.ly-
Both young men grew violent, and only /
Aatie's presence Of iriiad in declaring she did 1
rot wish to go TO the wedding prevented Per
;aIs the very worst outbreak Of Lars pas
tomato storm Of anger. After that the two
.yoiied each other IS much Is Esoss.sk.e. h1t |